RAFAEL BENITEZ has slammed international friendlies in the middle of the domestic season, claiming they are damaging to clubs involved in European competition.

Next week sees a whole host of international fixtures next week including England’s friendly in France next Wednesday.

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard is in the squad to face France and lead his country in a game sandwiched between the Reds’ league clashes against Manchester United and Everton.

And while Benitez believes Gerrard should skipper England permanently, he is less than impressed with the timing of the fixture.

He said: “I think if you play important games it's understandable, but friendlies? It's something I will never understand. When you are playing in the Champions League, when you are playing for the title or for a place in Europe, you can't understand players travelling all around the world.”

Benitez said Daniel Agger could be back before the end of the season following an operation on a metatarsal injury which has kept the defender out of first-team action since September.

“The operation was good, so the player is okay and happier now,” said Benitez.

“He's thinking about next season, or maybe if everything is okay the end of this season.”